Former President Mohamed Nasheed has said the newly passed Media Regulation Bill severely restricts freedom of expression in the Maldives.
The bill was passed in a special sitting of Parliament on Tuesday, despite widespread concerns from journalists and the public.
In a post on social media, Nasheed described the day as “very sad for the Maldives,” stressing that freedom of expression was won through “pain, hardship and loneliness.”
He called on the public to stand up against the legislation, which has sparked fears of tighter control over the media landscape.
The bill was passed in a special sitting of Parliament on Tuesday, despite widespread concerns from journalists and the public.
In a post on social media, Nasheed described the day as “very sad for the Maldives,” stressing that freedom of expression was won through “pain, hardship and loneliness.”
It's a very sad day for the Maldives. The Media Bill that parliament voted for today severely restricts freedom of expression-a freedom we won through so much pain, hardship and loneliness. We must make a stand.
— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) September 16, 2025
He called on the public to stand up against the legislation, which has sparked fears of tighter control over the media landscape.
